as in partial
inclined to favor one side over another
a shamelessly partisan reporter covering the primary campaign
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also partizan
1
as in adherent
one who follows the opinions or teachings of another
partisans of the charismatic leader refuse to tolerate any criticism of him at all
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in militant
one who is intensely or excessively devoted to a cause
a partisan of the revolution who was even willing to give her life for it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sectarian
one who stubbornly or intolerantly adheres to his or her own opinions and prejudices
she's too much of a political partisan to ever concede that the other side might have a valid point
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of partisan
Arne Carlson, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026
Even so, as the central bank’s voting board shifted from a technocratic body guided by consensus to a partisan battleground between those attempting to do the president’s bidding and those trying to hold the line, its decisions would become far less predictable.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Brandon Rottinghaus, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
The perception is that only like-minded DeSantis partisans need apply — what Askew tried to prevent.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for partisan
Adjective
Both nationally and in Minnesota , there has been a shift away from intelligent discussion of public policy to endless partisan warfare with a deadening impact on the public.
—Arne Carlson, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026
Even so, as the central bank’s voting board shifted from a technocratic body guided by consensus to a partisan battleground between those attempting to do the president’s bidding and those trying to hold the line, its decisions would become far less predictable.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
For many voters, negative coverage of a fellow partisan is not a warning sign.
—Brandon Rottinghaus, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
The perception is that only like-minded DeSantis partisans need apply — what Askew tried to prevent.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for partisan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for partisan
Adjective
-
This redundancy ensures that the aircraft remains manageable even during a partial system failure.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
-
But the involvement of partial owner Tom Brady is ramping up, adding a voice with championship pedigree to the situation.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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To symbolize this united centrist front, adherents of The Change fly American flags that have been reconfigured to place the field of stars smack in the middle of the stripes.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Academics cite Wallace’s story as one of the catalysts behind a fringe concept that has spread among adherents to the Make America Healthy Again, or MAHA, movement and is gaining traction at the highest levels of the federal government.—
Stephanie Armour,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
After the rapid downfall of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad’s regime, Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaida militant who headed one of Syria’s largest anti-government militias, swept into Damascus and consolidated power.—
Daniel DePetris,
Twin Cities,
4 Jan. 2026
-
The ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between militants and civilians in its count, is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by the international community.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Iraqi prime minister at the time, Nuri al-Maliki, was a Shiite sectarian with close ties to Iran, and many of his fellow Shia thought he could be relied on to listen to Iran’s wishes and find a way to avoid clashing with an Iranian proxy militia.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Both sides insist the other initiated the initial volley of gunfire that killed four agents and six sectarians.—
Joshua Alston,
Variety,
12 Apr. 2023
Adjective
-
Skepticism came easily to Trump, who had long been hostile to mainstream foreign policy.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The helicopter the pilot was flying — a heavy, twin-rotor MH-47 Chinook — was struck by hostile fire during the operation.—
January 9,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Jennifer Aniston's social media followers were treated to some banter between the Friends alum and her costar Courteney Cox — not as Rachel and Monica, but themselves.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
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The chef has 115 million social followers and has established himself over two decades with prime time shows like Kitchen Nightmares and MasterChef more recently being accompanied by a vibrant social media profile.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For now, privacy crusaders are left to wait.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
31 Dec. 2025
-
The filmmaker’s curiosity piqued on the subject of a religious female crusader at a time when many were immigrating to America for spiritual freedom.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
29 Dec. 2025
Noun
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In this case, the maximum dream of any Latin American revolutionary nationalist is to stand up to el imperio, to the Yankee Empire itself.—
Caroline Mimbs Nyce,
New Yorker,
4 Jan. 2026
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He’s marked as a dissident for responding with defiance to lesson plans mandated by federal authorities after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that teach youngsters to become Russian nationalists.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Partisan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/partisan. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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